Demonstrations marks rights declaration anniversary

Demonstrations marks rights declaration anniversary

JAKARTA (JP): Demonstrations and discussions in a number of
cities highlighted concerns over rights abuses, as Indonesians
on Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.

In Semarang, some 1,000 students of the Satya Wacana Christian
University protested rights abuses in politics, education, the
economy, religion and law.

They demanded investigations into "the masterminds behind all
of the violence committed by the Armed Forces (ABRI)", a thorough
investigation into the wealth of former president Soeharto and an
end to the use of religion for political ends.

In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, a discussion featured the
testimonies of victims of violence. The talk held by the Ujung
Pandang Legal Aid Office (LBH) was attended by some 100 victims,
including peasants, students and activists.

Lawyer Adnan Buyung Azis of the Ujung Pandang LBH said that
cases handled by his office which were related to acts of alleged
violence committed by the Armed Forces and other officials
included 50 land cases, six political cases, 38 labor cases and
four cases of discrimination.

In Purwokerto, Central Java, some 5,000 high school and
university students grouped in the Indonesian Forum for Youth
Struggle demanded that ABRI "return to the barracks".

After protesters conducted their noon prayers on the streets,
they went to state-run radio RRI, where broadcasters agreed to
air their demands.

In Bogor, West Java, about 50 students from Djuanda University
demanded that the police end their investigation of fellow
students T. Ade, Emon Mulyad and Syaefulloh. The three are being
detained on charges related to the death of First Lt. Dadang
Rusmana during demonstrations in May. Forensic experts said that
the officer died of a heart attack.

Other rallies in the city featured dozens of people demanding
clarification of their land cases at the town branch and the
regency branch of the National Land Agency.

In Yogyakarta, around 500 students also grouped in the
Indonesian Forum for Youth Struggle marched from Sanata Dharma
university to the Yogya Monument. Students appealed for civilians
to band together to resist efforts to pit one group against the
other.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, ulema discussed the prospects of
rallies during the Ramadhan fasting month, which begins on Dec.
20. People have been bracing themselves for the unprecedented
prospect of rallies during this year's Ramadhan, as students have
said that they will continue demonstrations. Various parties have
suggested that students refrain from rallies to give security
forces, who have been guarding the city for more than a month, an
opportunity to join the annual rites.

Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council Ali Yafie said that
there was no problem with demonstrations during Ramadhan, as long
as limits were observed. "What's wrong with demonstrating if it
is limited to expressing opinions?" Ali, also a member of the
National Commission on Human Rights, said in Bandung.

"Feel free to join demonstrations, as long as you refrain from
damaging things, harassing others, condemning others and saying
dirty words, which are forbidden when fasting," he said, as
quoted by Antara. (team)